No picnicking, but Mt. Charleston hiking trails are open

MOUNT CHARLESTON (KSNV MyNews3.com) -- There's no question this is a perfect time to visit Mount Charleston. The fall colors are out, and after a long hot summer, jacket weather is here.

But because of the partial government shutdown, some areas in the Springs Mountains will be closed this weekend.

According to the U.S. Forest Service, that includes picnic areas, and campgrounds. Many Forest Service employees are on furlough as well.

Hiking trails not affected by this summer's Carpenter 1 Fire will be open. Residents also can stop in any of the businesses on the mountain such as The Lodge, where employees hope the run of bad luck over the summer is nearly over.

“It’s been endless from the fires to the floods, and we've maintained,” said Thomas Schneekloth of Mt. Charleston Lodge. “The surrounding areas area is as beautiful as ever; the fire affected other parts of the mountain. But we've been limping along as beautiful as ever all season. So we want people to know we're open and ready for the public to come up and enjoy the beautiful fall colors.”

“You know who I really feel sorry for are the Europeans who come and they want to take their vacations and they made reservations and can't visit all our national parks,” said hiker Carole Bertelsen.